Tenerife Port Reports Strong Growth in Passengers, Cargo

The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife ended the year on a high note, showing strong performance across its main activities. This confirms its vital role in the Canary Islands' port system, both for passengers and cargo.

The port welcomed over three million passengers, specifically 3,042,731, which is 192,000 more than the previous year. More than 1.1 million of these were cruise passengers, an impressive 18.44% increase from the year before. Cruise ships made 411 stops at the port, 59 more than the previous year, marking a 16.76% rise.

A key highlight, according to the Port Authority, is the growth of "homeporting." This is when cruise passengers start and finish their Atlantic journey in Tenerife. Last year, 473,052 passengers did this, an increase of 127,000 compared to the previous year.

Pedro Suárez, president of Puertos de Tenerife, stressed the importance of homeporting. He explained that it brings significant economic benefits because these cruise passengers often fly into Tenerife, embark, and disembark there. This allows many of them to stay for a few extra days before or after their cruise, enjoying local attractions and food. Suárez also noted that crew changes at the port also generate substantial income, and Tenerife benefits greatly from both these activities.

Vehicle movement is also a significant part of the Port of Tenerife's operations. It saw 743,673 vehicles linked to passenger traffic, a 1.5% increase.

In terms of cargo, the Port of Tenerife handled 12.4 million tons last year. This was an increase of 529,241 tons from the previous year, representing a 4.45% growth.

General cargo performed exceptionally well, reaching 8.1 million tons, up by 12.46%. Dry bulk also saw strong growth, increasing by 25.77% to 395,734 tons. However, liquid bulk decreased by 8.94%, with 3.1 million tons recorded, which is 312,835 tons less than the year before.

Containerized cargo also showed a positive trend, increasing by 9.36%. This came from handling 4.4 million tons, 376,209 tons more than the previous year. The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife managed 297,727 containers last year, an increase of 17,288 (6.16%) compared to the year before.

Overall, these figures confirm the steady and positive progress of the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The significant boost in cruise traffic, along with the growth in general and containerized cargo, shows the port's ability to adapt to the changing needs of the shipping and logistics industries. This strengthens its competitive edge and international appeal. The Port of Tenerife is therefore solidifying its position as a crucial infrastructure for the economic growth of the island and the entire Archipelago, setting a strong foundation for future opportunities and challenges.